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CONFIDENTIAL

Approved for public release; distribution isunlimited. Document partially illegible.

Distribution authorized to U.S. Gov't. agenciesand their contractors;Administrative/Operational Use; 05 NOV 1969.Other requests shall be referred to AssistantChief of Staff for Force Development,Department of the Army, Attn: FOR-OT-UT,Washington, DC 20310. Document partiallyillegible.

AGO D/A ltr, 29 Apr 1980; AGO D/A ltr, 29 Apr1980

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SECURITY MARKING

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00 X i > o lO a

C:

>~ D . o C 3 L ' J —( u l

CONFIDENTIAL DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

! o r THC ADJUTANT QKNCNAL WASHINGTON. D C . ttSIO

03. 94265 AGDA (M)(4 Mar 70)

(l% CACtFCtZ 9 March 1970

SUBJECT: Operational touun.^1 Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 54th Trans-por ta t ion Bntr iHnn^Trr ln^l Fndlng 11 1 W (»)

* T h s doo'dn^at coMsirlT irifirc-stion a f f s e t i a j : t i e National r«f9nas of the Uaitsd S ta tes within th* Euaais* oS the

SEE DISTRIBUTION Sspj Onega betvs, ' . C., Sootier 793 and 794. I t s t , ; - o r •. .o I->V2 lilt ion of i t s contents i c aay wanner to -:,a u:. rai-.h-oriaed persoa i s prohibi ted by Ian. •

1. Subject report is forwarded for review and evaluation in accordance with paragraph 4b, AR 525-15. Evaluations and corrective actions should be reported to ACSFOR OT UT, Operational Reports Branch, within 90 days of receipt of covering letter.

2» Information contained in this report is provided to insure appropriate benefits in the future from lessons learned during current operations and may be adapted for use in developing training material.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

1 Incl as

BOUST E. Colonel, Acting The Adjutant General

DISTRIBUTION: Commanding Generals US Continental Army Comnand US Army Combat Developments Command

Commandants US Army War College US Army Comnand and General Staff College US Army Armor School US Army Engineer School US Army Field Artillery School US Army Infantry School US Army Ordnance School US Army Quartermaster School US Army Transportation School

Copies furnished: Office, Chief of Staff, US Army

f ly2-' Ptn'ed trtdmj 31

V* A

degraded unclassified when separated from classified inclosure.

CONFIDENTIAL

Ot w ' 'A ? Pj'

\G X

L-J

r CONFIDENTIAL

DEPAimctf OF THE aim HEADOITAKTERS, 54IH TRANSPORTATION BATTALION (TRK)

APO San Francisco 964.92

AVCA QN-TG-5^3 5 November 1969

SUBJECT: Operational Report of the 54th Transportation Battalion (Truck), WFR6AA, Tor Period Ending 31 October 1969 (RCS SCPOR-65) (B-l) (U)

THRU: Commanding Offlcor, 8th Transportation Group (>fr) ATTN: AVCA qN-TG-3, APO 96226

Commanding General, US Arry Sup-oort Coraraand, Qui Nhon, ATTN: AVCA .olUG0-N, APO 96238

Conmanding General, Ist Logistical Command, ATTN: AVCA GO-O, APO 963^8

Commanding General, United Stater. Arny Pacific, ATTN: GPOP-OT, /JO 96558

TO: Assistant Chief of Staff for Fbrce Development, Department of the Array, Washington, D.C. 20310

SECTION I SIGFIFICANT ORGfiNIZATIONAL OR UNIT ACTIVITIES

""~~ -■"'*"""" Nj'jRR/vTIVS STOoAHg

1. (U) COMKAND:

a. This report covers the activities of the 54.th Transportation Battalion (Trucdc) and assigned units as listed in inclosure 1, during the period 1 August 1969 through 31 October 1969. All units assigned during this reporting period wer^ engaged primarily in a line haul operation with the exception of the 545th Transportation Company (Lt Trk) which was primarily engaged in port and beach cloarance operation from Vung Ro Bay to Phu Help and Tiy Hoa. >*

b. Changes in command and staff pernonnel during the reporting period wero as follows:

LTG Everett W Rackley replaced UC William R Sarbt.r as Battalion Commander; OPT Daniel R Jones replaced CRT Jeffory P Dmning as S-3 Officer; OPT Ruben G Thompson assumed the duties of S-2 Offlcor; 1LT Ho^r Gardner replaced CW2 Donald Widman as Maintenance Officer; CTT Paul A Sakach replaced ILT Brian M Aspland as Conmanding Officnr of the 545th Trcnüpoitat.-ion Conpany (Lt Trk); CPT Timothy J Traub replaced OPT Ruben G Thompson as Commanding Offic r, 669th Transportation Company (Lt Trk)j CPT Jay R Russell replaced ILT ObM P Higgins as Commanding Officer of the 512th Transportation Company (Lt Trk). FOR oT of 1 lommm IT I TIII 1*1*1 (•*- CONFIDENTIAL MCU»» Aim n TUB. Inclosure HI MSlM.lt

CONFIDENTIAL AVCA TN-TG-54 -3 5 November 1969 SUBJECT: Op- rational Report of the 54th Transportation Battalion

(Track), WFR6AA, for P: riod Ending 31 Octcb r 1969 (RCS SCPOR-65) (R-l) (U)

2. (U) PERSOiTtna, ADMINISTRATIOr. MORALE ..TO DTSCIPLINS:

a. Personnel continue to perform in ail outstanding manner, and are continuing to work at loast 12 hours a day with the exception of the drivers, who's hours range somewhat longer than the standard 12 hour shift. Rest and Recuperation are ixing used to the maximum extent possible, howevi r allocations for in-country R&R wore unavailable. Shortages in the driver's MOS' (64110, 64B20) have been alleviated to a great extent. However, shortages in the units remain critical in the mechanics MOS (63320).

b. Promotions arc no longer a problem. During the reporting period', the majority of eligable personnel have boon promoted duo to a sharp increase of allocations to grades B-4 and 3-5.

c. In ord-.r to maintain a high state of morale, nuirr-rous activity a were planned during the reporting p. riod. Floor show:: have plnyod at the EM/&C0 Club five (5) times per month. Movies were shown five (5) nights a week; personnel were; enjoin'.d to spend their free time at the. <>ui When Re creation Center, Red Eoach; maximum utilization has boon made of the multi-purposo recreation pad, however basketballs aro unavailable: through normal supply channels. In addition, model kits have been obtained from Special Ser/ices and distributed to all the units in thr. battalion.

3. (U) 0P5R.1TI0H3:

a. During this reporting p. riod assigned vehicles travelled 714,593 miles, delivered 33,078 short tons of cargo, transported 7,636 porsonnr 1 and accumulate-] 2,334,427 ton miles.

b. The Heavy Lift totaled 23,503 miles, carried U,437 short tens of cargo •wd accumulated 286,430 ton miles during this reporting period, (figures included in "a" above)

c. The drop in miles travelled and short tons delivered this quarter was due to the following problem areas:

(1) Large turnover of personnel during the. quarter. Th« battalion lost 156 personnel through attrition and sained 232 newly assigned personnel. These now personnel had to inprocoss, attend an eight hour block of instruct-ion on convoy procedures, ambush proc-dures, safety and. defensive driving, orientation on battalion policior:, standards, facilities and battalion mission, zero and care and cleaning of individual weapons, t. sting and fitting of protective mask, and practical exercises on maintenance and operation cf 2 ton and 5 ton cargo trucks. After completing this .initial inprocossing the new personnel were, then turned over to their respective companies. Company VCO'r then gave the new drivers behind the wheel training and a drivers test. The first two convoys the new drivers participated in they were accompanied by ,an experienced driver.

(2) During thi3 quarter the battalion received 209 now 5 ten drop

2 CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL AVCA QN-Ta-5^-3 5 November 1969 SUBJECT: 0p< rational Report of tho 5Uth Tron^^rtation Battalion

(Truck), VJPR6AA, for Period Ending 3l Octobor 1969 (RCS SCPOR-65) (Rr-l) (U)

aide cargo trucks (M54A1C). Tho unit np.intonanco sections had to inprocess the now vehicles and "TI" and outprocoss tho old 5 tons. Thia v:as nccoi^Dlishod with n 50% shortage of raechanicG.

(3) During this p?.ricd of available trucks with a driver shortage, it was somotirKis necessary to put clerks, NCO's, and nochanics on the road in order to move priority cargo,

(A) Tho movoejoat of cargo was hanjx rod by tho aonsoon season. Bridges wore washed out and temporary bridges and by-passes were not ablo to acconvodato the vroight of tho hoavy lift platoon. This battalion was unable to lead cargo for two days duo to flooding of a by-pass between this location and the r>ui Nhon loading sites.

(5) Th. number of hardened security vehicles that c^uld be placed ^n tVj road was limited for a period of time duo to the stripping down of the old pun- trucks and converting new 5 ton trucks into fruntrucks.

(6) The final contribution factor to tho reduction of the tons carried was due to the large nunbrr of trucks committed for troop/unit moves and shuttl'- from Phu Cat Air base to Qui Mhon during the poried the Qul Nhon .Urbase was closed for repairs to tho runway.

d. During the re-porting period the battalion had 1975 RON'n duo primarily to tho following:

(1) Th< 54.5th Transportation Company ran two (2) convoys from Phu Help to Qui Nhon.

(2) The, 5^th Transport-tlon Battalion ran fiftf-on (15) convoys from Qui :>Ihon to phu Ifr 1^.

(3) Slow and in some cases inefficient off-loac1ing at destinatinns.

o. Trailer Operations; During tho reporting period the 54th Battalion's Trailer Transfer Point procossod 6300 forward trailer lends. While the TOE call for 9 personnel, it was f'und necessary to augment tho strength by nine (9) additional mon and fourteen (H) Local Nationals.

f. The practical situation and local regulatory requiroraonts for convoy communications are two (2) radios per twontjr (20) vehicles although the standarr1

truck company TOE providos for only one (1) radio per twonty (20) vehicles,

g» Trailer Operations: During onö twelve hour period five enlisted men a»i two officers devoted their entire enerfilcs to replacing tires, air couplings: and headboards on 35 RORO 12 ton flatbed trailers, ^Iwse trailers were used for on]y one trip to Ploiku and then they wore returned to RORO control.

h, Backloada of retrograde vohiclos loaded on ssni-trailers are consigned to tho 526 GCÄ6 facility in Phu Than. In order to eliminate loading, off-loadli

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL AVCA <3M,G-54~3 5 November 1969 SUBJECT: Operational Rnport ox tho 54th Transportation Battalion

(Truck), WFR6Afor Period Sr.ling 31 Octohcr 1969 (^tCS 3CP0R-65) (R-l) (TJ)

end reloading the rotrogrado vehicles remain loaded on the semi-trailers for their processing and eventual disposition to the Port or tho Property Disposal Yard. During tho last 90 days, approximately 750 trailer loads were handled in this fashion.

4. (U) TRAINING;

a. Tho 54th Transportation Battalion conpliod with all iwccssaiy training regulations. Due to mission requironients, the main portion of the classes were held at night. They includc training on unit level and classes for tho whole battalion.

b. Drivers training is given to all newly assigned personnel and to involved in driver-fault accidents. These olasso3 are hold cither weekly or bi-weekly dc spending on tho number of personnel requiring instructiona.

c. On 21 Octobor 1969 the battalion held a gas chancer exercise with a make-up class on 24 October 1969, all personnel attended.

5. (C) INTELLIGENCE:

a. There were three (3) recorded incidents involving oncry action within this reporting period.

b. A further description of the individual incidents is as follows:

(1) 12 August 1969 - At apprordna J:oly 1715 hours a disabled gun jeep facing towed by a 545th Transportation Conn any wrecker were .anbushc1 on Highway QL ifl at the arua known as "Rocking Chair" at coordinates CQ 229290. Two (2) hone made claymore type nin-"s wi-ro fired at tho wrecker from an overhanging boulder on the viestorn edge of the road. Tho blast and associated shrapnel literally blow the two vehicles off the road, killing the two occupants of the wrock r. Mod. rate to intense fire was received from undetermined eneny pnsitior on the rocky hillside for appropriately 45 minutes. This ar.ibush resulted in two (2) US personnel XIA and f ivo (5) US personnel WIA. Equipment losses were one (1) wrocker and one (1) gunjeep destroyed along with associated radio equipment fron tho gunjeep.

(2) 9 Octobor 1969 — 1325 hours, the east bound Pleiku convoy received a large amount of snail arnc, automatic weapons and some mortar rounds from botv sides of Highway #19 at BR 362332, £ mile cast of Bridge #6. The onery force was undetermined size vrith a kill zone of approximately 500 meters. Tho 54th Transportation Battalion sustained tho following damages: Ono (1) US person WIA and. one (1) 5 ton cargo truck danafad.

(3) 21 Octobor 1969 - I645 hours, the east bound Ploiku convoy rocoived a large amount of small arms, automatic weapons, 9-4fi rocket and mortar rounds from both sides of Highway CJL #19 approximately 300 noters oast of "Doadman's Curve" botweon Bridges 30 and #29. The cnory force was estimated at company strength and with a kill zono of approximately 500 motors. Tho battalion sustained the following damages: Ono (1) US person injured, and fiv -5 ton

CONFIIENTIAL

AVCA QN-TG-5^3 5 Novonbcr 1969 SUBJECT: Op rational Rtport of the 34th Transportation Battalion

(Truck), WFR&J, for Period Ending 31 October 1969 (RCS SCPOR-65) (H-l) (U)

6. (ü) LOGISTICS;

a. Tho oalibcr of co^any suj^ply procoduros and paper vor': aro continuing to bo upgradod, Particulnr or-phasis is being placocl on instructlnr; supply sorgoants in thc> iioat offlciont st^ply raotliods to follow.

b. Tho battalion Bopair and Utility Toaa continues to improvo tho livinp and recreational standards of our conpound,

(1) It built additional arras roons in barracks for greater wonpons safety.

(2) It renovated the battalion barber and tailor shop area,

(3) It cleared and re—dug drainage ditchos in the battalion area for the rünsoon season.

(^) It built wooden abutments around field grade- ruarter:; and guard tovr

(5) It installed trailer back stops in the Tradier Transfer Point,

c. During the roportinp; period tho 54-th Battalion area was snnethly chanfTO'-' over to central power supply by tho Vlnnoll Corporation, It should bo noted houovor, that at this tine thoro ia no back-up power suoply for the perlnetor Hghts.

d. The 299th Engineor Battalion, Cor.pany "B", xrorked for two days on tho hardstand and drainago project for the 505th TTP, saving the facility from Inundation during tho torrential rains of mid-Octobor. Liaison on oonploting the project in tho face of the inactivation of Company "B" is continuing botweon the 299th Engine r Battalion and the 54th Transportation Battalion,

7, (U) MINTENANCE;

a. By the end of the reporting period the total number of vehicles increase1

to 414 plus 11 trailers, Eightcon of thoso 414- are on hand receipt to other units. Fourtoun (14) vehicles of this total aro 10 ton tractors which belong to tho 512th Transportation Corpany, The remaining 382 are categorized as follows: 300 task vehicles, 50 administrative vehicles, and 32 security vehicles, Tho conpanios did an outstanding job of Totting the now 5 ton dropsido cargo vehicles Inprocesood and en tho read. At present 203 of the total of 209 now trucks have boon inprocossod and made ready for use, A total of 105 eld trucks will be proct ssed out. This figure includes tho tank 2^ ton trucks as irell as the old 5 ton "hard sides",

b. On 29 Septombor 19^?, the guntruckr and gunjecpo hand recdiptod to 512th Transportation Company were returned to their origin?! units. The 523rd Trans- portation Corpany, 512th Transportation Corpany, and 669th Transprri.atlon Compony now each have five (5) guntrucks and four (4) gunjoops on hand,

c. Iho doadlino rate for tha raportlng period was 5,858, This flrrure shows a reduction of 4,756 Iron tho end of tho last roporting period.

5

AVCA cjN-TO.54-3 5 Novi nlxr 1969 SUBJECT; Oporational Booort cf the 5ith Transportation Battnlion

(Truck), WFR6AA, Tor p.rio'l 2n;iinc 31 Octobor 1969 (RCS SCPOR-65) (Rp-1) (U)

d. Sovon (7) unitü rrcolvcd CIWI's during Uic reporting noriod, nil of which roccivec1 a 3atiofactory rating, llio %5th Tran-portation Company rocnivod an IG which also rosultcd in a passing ccorQ,

CONFIDENTIAL 3BCTIQN II

LESfOi: LURNED COt:ODER'S OlSSRVATTPi'TgTT/^^ON /J'D RXOMTErnATIO^S

1. (U) PERSONl^L:

a. Itnm. In CowvLry R£LR Allocationa

(1) OaSERVATION; Thi:i unit has not o'tainod any In-Country R&R allooatlona during tbio reporting period.

(2) BVALUATIOI?; 1st Lor; Cormand Regulation 28-2 atitoa thit qiiotns will ba announced monthly by letter, "'he local situation has become so acute t^at the 8th Transportation Group has Instituted a recreation area of its own. Thw Vietnam n.-ivn madia such as the Stars and Stripes and Armed fbr^es Net-rork often pu licize the Vung Tau Reoroation program creating a morale pvo'lem In this unit.

(3) RECC^MSND.TION; In-Country R&R allocations should be granted accord In rr to ro (nil at ion.

2. (U) OPERATIOMS;

a. Item: Tridgo Qy-passes

(1) OBSERVATION: Bridge #302 on QL if! was closed to nljit traffic for one wenk when the by-pass was flooded,

(2) SVALUVTION: Loading and imloadinc and aU convoy operations were severly haiaporad during this period. Two (2) Local Nationals drowned and four {U) military vphicles were submerged. The bridge was damaf»ed for nin3 (9) months yet wh( n the monsoon rains hit, the required vnpalra had not been co-iplotcd.

(3) RECOMMENDATION: All bridge by-passes bo kept in a state of good repair to prevent interruption in the Main Supply Routq du& to the action of the enery or woathor.

b. Itoa: Ualoading Pro'iLoiiis, 5 ton cargo trucks

(1) OBSERVATION: The majority of the 1,975 vehicles remaining ov« rnight at destination were caused by poor off-loading facilities,

(2) EVALUATION: While local depot areas are well oqulppad with MHE, the destinations of LZ English, LZ Uplift and Plnlku have continual off-loading problfiins caused ty a lack of liHE and thn inofficipnt use of MHE. The consignees havo no prior knowledtje of the incoming car^o and thoy customarily coaso work completely for over an hour during lunch ^m . The open rood hours for truck convoys are linilt(.d and the mir-i^n uo^-id .tion •i/1"h rcj-jlt from theno probloimi and practices is consid^rablo,

(3) REGOMME^ATIONS;

(a) Additional MHE bo provided where required.

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL AVGA QN-TG-54-3 5 November 1969 SUBJECT: Operational Report of the 54-th Transportation Battalion

(True!:), WFRfiAA, for Period Ending 31 October 1969 (HCS SCFOR-65) (R-l) (U)

(b) The Movement Control Center contact the consignees with prior incoming cargo information.

(c) Consignees staggi-r lunch hours to onablc the maximum use of MHE.

c. Item: Unloading Problems, Somi-trailors

(1) OBSERViTIOfT: On occasion, up to forty (40) romi-trail-rs art; unde r load at the 526 CC«S yard 'or over one day and in come coses for over a woek-

(2) SVALUVTIOa: Wht>n semi-trailers remain under lo d for over on<- day, they ire removed from the system just as if they wore inexcusoably doadlinod. Daily conmitircntu for trailers customarily cscood available trail' rs, thus it is certain thr.t these trailers could be used elsewhere. While the great benefit of processing the loaded retrograde vehicles is recognized, the dr-tin on the common carrier transportation system should be evaluated.

(3) HSCOtiMSND.'CTIOIg: Tho 526 CC«6 facility should be provided with civiliai and military labor and equipment with which to coEplete their processing efficiently (within one day).

d. Item: Convoy Communications

(1) OBSERVATION: TOSE Authorization for convoy com unicat ions are short of requirements.

(2) EVALMTI®!: (fi, 13 August 1969 t h i s uni t su t a i t t ed a request f o r MTC5 concerning com; tuni cat ions equipment which i s a3 ye t "jnonswnred. The USAW Convoy Security Seminar dated 27 November 1967, HQ IFF7 Highway #19 SOP date d 17 July 1968 and 8th ftvonsportatioii Grotp Rrg #55-1 dated 1 March 19^9 require more radios than current ly authorized. The three ameushr a described in para-graph 5 which t h i s bat te l3cn oitperionced during t h i s quarter make i t c lear tha t those are nit, only v/ords on paper requirements but r e a l l i f e and death nc ode.

(3) HgCOri 7SMDi. -'I0!T: The 54th Transportat ion Battal ion request fo r TfTOB concerning comntunications equipment bo pronptly approved and tho equipment promptly issued.

3 . (TJ) TRAINING: None

U. (C) INT5LLI6SNCE: i

Item: Convoy Ambushes

(1) OBSWA' IOl1: ifupibcr of OS casua l t i es are low due to convey procedures present ly being used.

(2) EVALlkTIOK: ^-onvoy pract iceo of looping rx 100 nr.t:»r lnto~"-«l he+won

8

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL AVCA f?»-TO-5^-3 5 Movnmbor 1969 SUBJECT: Operational Rr/port of tho 5Ath Transportation Battalion

(Trudc), WFR6AA, for Period ^niinß 31 October 19^9 (RCS 3CP0I^65) (R-l) (U)

* vehicles and nil vehlclos loaving tho kill zone as quickly as poosihlo and following vehicles not ent( ring the kU.l zono, has greatly roducod the numbor of casualties that are incurrod aftor tho initial force of contact.

(3) RBCOMEilDATIOH; The current po] icy nf convoy oprrntlons bo kopt in üffict, niniraizlng the dnnagos to vuhicb 3 and cargo, and keeping tho casualty rate low.

54 (U) LOGISTICS: NO:;ü

6. (U) M4INTENAKCE: None

! Incl EVERETT W HACKLEY ' as WC» TC

Commnnding

CONFIDENTIAL 9

AVGA QN-ro-3 (5 Nov 69) 1st Ind SUBJiiCTi Operational Report of the 5Uth Transportation Battalion (Truck),

WMäk, for Period liidinE 31 October 1969 (RCÖ 087011-65) (R-l) (i.)

Hk, HQ, 8th Trans Op (MT), iPO 96226, 15 Nov 69

Go/iiManALnt General, DSASC, QH, ATTW: AVCA QN-GO-H, ilPC 96236

1. The Operations Report for the 51ith Transportation Battalion (Truck) hac been reviewed and the information contained therein is considered adeou^tu.

2. Jhe following comments are submitted:

a. Reference Section I, Personnel. Concur. The 8th Transportation Group received very few in-country R & R allocations to Vung Tau. Increased allocc-bio.is would be a highly positive morale factor.

b. Reference Section II, Operations - Bridges and Ity-Passes, Concur. .AWIV: liighway system is in need of upgrading. Certain portions ox QL 19 are actua3.1j hazardous to convoy operations.

c. Reforence Section II, Convoy Conuriunications. Concur, ^ach ^un i,ruc.: should be provided with a radio for adequate communication during periods ox enemy contact.

3. This indorsement may be regraded or unclassified when separated from classified inclosures.

TISLi FT 256V2589 Colonel, TC Comiiiandinc

ALJC T. LAiffJST^i, JR 1/ '

/»

—-**-<*

AVGA ^J-ÜO-H (5 Uov G9) 2nd Ind JUBJLCT: Operational Report of the 54th Itansportation iJetinlJcn (Tru:k)

for Uie Period Ihding 31 October 1969 RCS CSPOR-65 (R^) (U)

DA, HiADQUART^iJ, UC Array Support Comnand, Qui Nhon I JO 96238 2 2DI T "^

TO: Ck)m.aanding General, ist logistical Uinnand, kTd'.: AVCA GO-O, AMi 9638^

1. 'J10 Oprrational Report, Lesconr Learned, of the 5/;üi ITanspcrtation Battalion for the quarterly period ending 31 October 1969 hac ben . .v'. •. <'. Sy AJ.t: l.urclfuraters and the follovdng comrr.ent.; arc r.ulritted:

a. SlCllOti I!, paragraph 1(a)! Concur. This comrand ifjceivea approxirAtcly 30 in-aountrj ivifl allocations; per month. These allocations ui c distribute'! ftMon^, iiajor subordinate commands on a percentage bacie deternined by the assigned Etrengths of these units. Ihe allocaiionr c:ven to the 8th Tran:; Group are to be distributed among the gacup'? ruLcid;'i.ate units. The f^th Group received 3 or 4^ such allocations eaji month of the reporting ^criol. Ihe L'peci.'d. Services officer of this headquarter:: '..111 attempt to obtaiii larger numbers of monthly allocation:: foi in-couiiU; lu-'i.';, Ixvever then /..ill continue to be distributed arrrig nil of the major cubrrdinatc :n:''. L of this command.

b. SICTIQN II, paragraph 2(a): Concur with recommendation; nonconcur with observation fini ^valuaiion. A check cf the 'j}ii> Daily Log at thic head- quarters reveals that the by-pass for bridge 302 on C^L^-I was closed tc tiflr;'ir. onl^ during the night of 11-12 Get 69. While it ic true that the bridge '.«2 damaged fn nine months, rvcr. ncnths of thic period v/ere spent processing the project, obtaining funding approval und dtcrgning and evaluating the most effective and least expensive means to repa^r the bridge. The actual construction ilr.c 'tir las:.; than 60 dayc. Main supply routes are main- tained in accordance with availability of tunds, priority of effort, and availability of resource:;. It should also be noted that the by-par.- a-- biidge 302 was in satisfactory condition and remained in place during the six day period when it was submerged.

c. ZJuxJOV. ""f paragraph 2(b): Concur. Action is Lcint i^ken to implement the recommendations.

d. SBCTIQK II, paragraph ?(c}: Concur. Action is being taken to implement the recommendation.

e. SECTION II, paragraph 2(d): Concur. The subject request for ::r0Z was not received by this headquarters. The request was resubmitted by the bth Tiansportation Group on 2^ November 1969 and appropriate action is being taken.

II

r

A VGA QN-G0-1I (5 NOT 69) 2nd Ind SUBJECT! Operation*! Heporte of the ^th Transportation Battalion (Truck)

for the Period aiding 31 October 1969 RfiS CSFOR-65 (R2) (U)

f. SUCTION II, paragraph 4> Concur. Ihe procedures described are the current polio/ of this command.

2, Ihe report is considered adequate as modified by the above comments.

FOR THE oamnumi

ROBERT /. Fimcm CPT, AGC Asst Adjutant General

12

^ .. ■■•* »•-

AVCA QO-MH (5 Nov 69) 3d Ind SUBJECT: Operational neport - Ussons Learned of the 54th Transnortation

Battalion for period «ndi: g 31 October 1969 HCS CSPOa-65 (R2)(U)

DA, Keadquarters, Ist Logistical Connand, APO 96384 '11 JA^^^P

TOt Commandi'g General, United States Amor, Vietnam, ATT';! AVHQC-DST APO 96375

1. The Operational rteport - Lessons Learned submitted 'oy Headquarters, 54th Transportation Battalion for the quarterly period ending 31 October 1969 is forwarded.

2. Pertinent coments follow: Reference iten concerning In-Country R&h allocations, page 7, paragraph la. Concur. One hundred and twenty soaces were allocated to Ist Logistical Cormand (less USASUPCd' DNS) during the months of August and Septenber 1969, and 140 spaces were received for Oc- tober 1969* The allocations are distributed to the support commands and HHD 1st Logistical Command based on the percentage of the strength less the Da Nang Support Comnand.

3. Concur with the basic report as r.odified by this and previous indorse- ments .

POrt THE CCMANDat:

TEL: LBN 4839 1LT, A Asst, AG

CF: USASUPCCM, QNH 8th Trans Gp 54th Trans Bn.

13

AVHGC-DST (5 NOT 69) 4th ind SUBJECT: Opcrttional toport of tho 54th TranoporUtion BatUUon (Truck),

WFR6AA, for Ptrlod Ending 31 Octobor 1969, RCS CSP0R^5 (R2) (U)

HLADQUAHTKKS, UN1T£D STATES ARMY, VIETNAM, APO San Francisco 96375 2 LJfiU IS/t

TO: CoMandor in Chlaf, United States Anp, Pacific, ATTNt GPOP-DT, APO 96558

1. This hoadquartsrs baa rotrlswsd the Operational Report-Lessons Learned for the quartsrl/ period ending 31 October 1969 froa Headquarters, 54th Transportation Battalion (Truck) and oomwnts of indorsing headquarters.

2. Coanents follow;

a. Reference itea concerning "Bridge ^-passes", section II, page 7, paragraph 2a; 1st Indorseaent, paragraph 2b; 2d Indorseaent, paragraph lb; concur. The asjor lines of coaHunication are prograaaed for upgrade in accordance with MACV Oirectivs 415-6. The 18th and 20th Engineer Brigades respond rapid]/ to construct or repair bj-passes as required.

b. Reference itea concerning "Unloading Problea, 5 ton cargo trucks", section II, pegs 7, paragraph 2b and 2d Indorseaent, paragraph 1c; concur. Currently, USA SUP COM QNH is providing consignees with advance notification to instaneea when an excesslTe noaber of 5 ton cargo trucks are dispatched to LZ English or LZ Uplift. Recently the CO of the 4th Inf Div has enforced the conTogr speed Halts (25 aph) and Plsiku convoys naturally are unable to go to Pleiku and return In a aingle day. In instaneea where additional MHE haa been required to facilitate discharge of 5 ton cargo trucks at LZ's English and Uplift, the required MHE has been aoved to discharge points when available. Consignees at LZ's English and Uplift have coaaenced to stagger lunch hours when necessary to aaks aaziaua use of available MB.

c. Reference itea concerning "Unloading Problsay Seal-trailers", sec- tion II, pegs 8, paragraph 2e and 2d Indorseaent, paragraph Id; concur. USA SUP COM QNH is in the process of reorgaiting the CCftS coapany and hiring additional psrsoonsl. The CCIcS facility has been recently relocated and neceaaary paperwork subaitted for the construction of waah racks and requi- sitions subaitted for 350 gallon per ainute (GPM) puapa. Once wash racks have bsen constructed and puapa obtained, seal-trailer turnaround should bs expedited.

d. Reference itea concerning "Convey Pnaannlcationa", aeetion II, page 8, paragraph 2d; 1st Indoraeaent, paragraph 2c; and 2d Indoraeaent, para- graph 1e; concur. Rage at will be considered as an exception to the current aoratoriua on MTDA/HTOE aetiona when received.

FOR THE CCHMANEEBs

I. D. MURRA?

or M«. ;p!' AGC

54th Trana En '"»•«••♦»♦ Adjutowr Gensrol 1st Log Goad /«/

p

GPOP-DT (S Nov $9) 5th lud (U) IUBJICT: Operational laport of BQ, 54th Transportation Battalion (Truck)

for farlod Boding 31 October 1969, ECS C8POB-65 (B2) (D)

BQ, US Ar^r, Pacific, APO San Pranclaco 96558 3 ppp 1970

TO: Aaslatant Ghlaf of Staff for Porca Dovalopaant, Oapartnant of the Anqr, Haahintton, D. C. 20310

Thli headquarter« concur« In aubject report as Indorsed.

FOB TU COMIABDBB IM CBIBF:

m^~ CPT, AGC AMI AG

15

Organizational Chnrt, 5Ath Transportation Battalion ('(Tuok)

Headquarters Headquarters Dot

54th Trans ai •

512th Trans Co

5^5th Trans Co

S^th Trnns Co

Heavy Lift Platoon

Provisional

523rd Trans Co

505th Trans Detachment

T T P

Incl 1

/6

LNCLASSIKIED S K W U I C l a s s i f i c a t i o n

DOCUMENT CONTROL DATA R&D <**"•"» •' ~ —•*— , fl, HQ, OACSFOR, DA, Washington, D.C. 20310

M . R E P O R T SE C o m f v CI A (.SI K i c * i iO»

CONFIDENTIAL HQ, OACSFOR, DA, Washington, D.C. 20310 a f t . « R O U P

4

O p e r a t i o n a l Report - Lessons Lea rned , HQ, 54th T r a n s p o r t a t i o n B a t t a l i o n

« o«>c» i»r i» t »OTII (Type »> r«p««r am* j —

Exper i ences of u n i t engaged in c o u n t e r i n s u r g e n c y o p e r a t i o n s . 1 A.io 69 tn nrt M

CO, 54th T r a n s p o r t a t i o n B a t t a l i o n

4 5 November 1969 19

ft. P N O J C C T NO

N/A c .

d.

—• ORICINATOR'S RC*<OR1 NUMNKRIS)

694265 ft. P N O J C C T NO

N/A c .

d.

10. D I S T R I B U T I O N S T A T E M E N T

N/A • S . SPONSORING MILITARY ACTIVITY

OACSFOR, DA, Washington, D.C. 20310

IS. A B S T R A C T "

17

DD ,'.T..!473 UNCLASSIFIED Secur i ty C l a s s i f i c a t i o n

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN DELIMITED

AND CLEARED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

UNDER DOD DIRECTIVE 5200,20 AND

NO RESTRICTIONS ARE IMPOSED UPON

ITS USE AND DISCLOSURE,

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE;

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED,